A new campaign with over 45 member organisations – Power Up, is amplifying marginalised African voices in pursuit of funding for green affordable energy at the ongoing COP27 climate summit happening in Egypt.
The campaign is emphasising funding, particularly for frontline organisations powering up communities most affected by energy poverty to build resilience and upscale adaptation efforts.
This is on the backdrop of the fact that more than 600 million African people go without access to electricity, and more than 900 million are without safe cooking facilities.
According to the IEA, bringing access to modern energy for all Africans calls for an investment of US$ 25 billion per year, which is around 1% of global energy investment today.
But using the hashtag #GreenPowerisaMust, the Power Up campaign is coordinated by Ashden, a charity working with organisations in the global South on climate solutions.
Power Up’s members are now calling on iNGOs, businesses, civil society organisations, faith groups and other organisations across society to back the campaign.
They argue that globally, green energy could create 14 million jobs by 2030. Further, studies from Kenya and Nigeria suggest that every green energy job created in rural areas could lead to five more jobs through increased economic activity.
Climate crisis
Dr Sheila Oparaocha, Director of the coalition member the ENERGIA Network, said: “At COP27, taking place in Africa, world leaders can deliver climate justice and change the course of history with action to invest in affordable sustainable energy.”
“More finance must flow from nations responsible for the climate crisis to those in the greatest danger – and money already promised must be delivered. Crucially, using adaptation funding to widen access to sustainable and affordable energy will ensure African communities are better prepared for the challenges ahead,” she added.
On her part, Harriet Lamb, CEO at Ashden, said “energy access and government climate finance must be put at the heart of these crucial climate negotiations. Nations in the global South need finance to support clean and accessible renewable energy.”
“In addition, everything must be done to unlock private sector investment. Countries in the global South did nothing to cause the climate emergency yet are already suffering most from its impacts and stare into an uncertain future. Governments in the global North which carry the biggest legacy of fossil fuel burning have an obligation to support the South. Globally, we all rely on each other, for food and resources, so no-one can be left behind.”
